Point Beach Cops: 2 Slow-Moving Drivers Turned Out To Be Thieves

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Two cars were moving very slowly on Woodland Avenue, police say. The drivers, however, weren't allegedly doing it for safety reasons.

What came as a result was the arrest of four alleged car thieves two weeks ago after one of the suspects struck a police cruiser with his vehicle.

The incident happened on Thursday, July 30th at approximately 3 a.m. when Point Pleasant Beach Patrol Officers Bryan Benites and David Marchetti were patrolling an area of town that has experienced a series of motor vehicle thefts recently, police said.

Benites approached two suspicious vehicles on Woodland Avenue driving at a slow rate of speed. Marchetti pointed a spotlight on one of the vehicles, and at that point, both vehicles sped away, police said.

Benites pursued both vehicles, and was quickly joined by Officer Tyler Zukowitz. The officers pursued the vehicles through Bay Head and into Mantoloking, police said.

During this pursuit, one vehicle struck a Mantoloking Police cruiser before becoming disabled. The officer was not injured, but the police vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage from the collision, police said.

The second suspect vehicle crashed into parked cars on Lagoon Lane in Mantoloking. After the vehicles became disabled, all suspects fled on foot, police said.

A perimeter was quickly established, and with the assistance of Mantoloking, Bay Head, Brick Township, Point Pleasant Boro, the Ocean County K9 Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Officers, the four subjects were taken into custody.

• Isaiah Seabrooks, 20, of East Orange, charged with three counts of theft, three counts of burglary, conspiracy to commit theft, aggravated assault, and eluding.
• Quadir Brown, 20, of Newark, charged with three counts of theft, three counts of burglary and conspiracy to commit theft.
• Jamal Walker, 22; of Newark charged with three counts of theft, three counts of burglary, and conspiracy to commit theft.
• Joseph Amos Jr., 23, of Newark, charged with three counts of theft, three counts of burglary, conspiracy to commit theft and providing false information to law enforcement.

All four suspects were processed at headquarters and transported to Ocean County Jail pending future court proceedings. All four suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

During the course of this investigation, led by Detective Andrew Meany, officers determined that the four subjects traveled from Newark with the intent to commit motor vehicle thefts, police said.

A total of three stolen vehicles have been recovered by Point Pleasant Beach police in the area where officers initially encountered the subjects.

This remains to be an active investigation, and if anyone has further information they are encouraged to contact Point Pleasant Beach Police Detective Andrew Meany or Detective Derek O’Neill @ 732-892-0500.

“I am very proud of the hard work, dedication, and professionalism exhibited by all officers involved in this incident. Four subjects with extensive criminal histories were apprehended quickly by our officers," Chief Joseph Michigan said. "Let this message serve as a reminder to anyone who decides to come to this area to commit a crime.”